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Ch-ch-ch-chaaaanges

Every year, right after New Year’s, a slew of bloggers write a post with the title above. Not one for New Years resolutions, I typically forgo a post of that sort. But today, the title—however overused—seems appropriate.

Why? Because at the end of the month, friends, I’m moving to our nation’s capitol, and continuing my post-bacc at Georgetown.

Maybe some of you saw this coming. I definitely saw it coming, back in December when I chose to go to Columbia, rather than go to school in D.C. (which, for infrequent readers, is where my boyfriend, otherwise known as “M,” lives). I worried at the time that balancing the demands of my post-bacc with the necessities of a long distance relationship would be a little miserable, and I was right. Although it’s been a good semester for me in many ways—challenging, full of personal growth, etc.—it has also been hard. Unnecessarily hard. I can’t control the rigors of pre-med studies: those are what they are. But it’s starting to feel like lunacy to juggle those rigors with being on a bus every other weekend—not to mention being constantly distracted by missing M, or by feeling as though I live a life that’s caught betwixt and between two cities.

So, in a mere eighteen days, this lifelong, born-and-raised New Yorker is leaving the forty block radius in which she has spent virtually all twenty-eight years of her life, and moving to The District. I’m obviously sad to be leaving my home, and more than a little scared, but I think this is the right moment for an adventure of this sort. The post-bacc is grueling—so much more than I ever imagined it would be—and I need all of my focus, energy, and concentration to be with me as I pursue my goals, not strewn all over the 200 odd miles between Manhattan and D.C.

Being in Washington will give me more time to devote to school, more weekend space in which to volunteer and seek out hospital work, and a sense of rootedness that I haven’t been able to enjoy in the last few months. As daunting as it is for someone like me, who’s highly parochial in her own, big city way, it’s not permanent. I have no clue where med school may take me, and for now, it’s actually not so terrible for me to experience a little adventure away from New York, while all the while being in a fun town that just so happens to contain the person that I love.

So, dear CR readers: I’m sorry to put you through yet another upheaval by proxy this year, but please say that you’ll join me as I eat, study, and explore my way through our not-very-vegan-but-getting-better capitol. I won’t be able to share quite as many restaurant posts, but let’s face it: with my student budget and schedule, I rarely eat out anymore as it is. I’ll have more impetus to cook, a little more money to spend on good food when I can eat out, and I’ll probably get to tell you about new dining establishments as they open, because the vegan scene in DC, while small, is growing.

Best of all? I’ll have a much bigger kitchen. And I do mean much. Just you wait: this move is going to mean some exciting things for CR, and I cannot wait to unveil them.

In the meantime, I’m grateful to Katie, Valerie, Kathy, Andrea, and Victoria, who are already making me feel at home in the District with their generous, witty, and warm emails. I can’t wait to see you all, and it means the world to me that I have some friends waiting for me in Washington. And I’ve got about two and a half weeks of exciting restaurant meals here in the big city—including a special blogger’s dinner that I can’t wait to recap.

I’ve also got about thirty boxes to pack, a sofa to dispose of, a bed frame to breakdown, and a Vita-Mix that’s still broken. Oy. With that, I’m getting back to my endless to-do list, followed by dinner with the birthday girl. Goodnight, friends.

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105 Responses to "Ch-ch-ch-chaaaanges"

I’m really happy for you. I can only imagine what a toll it takes to go back and forth between cities. I’d be begging to settle down. Now you’ll be in Washington DC, probably bffls with Michelle Obama making kale chips together and eating at Sweet Greens. It will be perfect.

I can’t wait to see you either! Good luck on the move and please let me know if there is anything I can do! We will have to celebrate your arrival in DC in a few weeks – I know people usually welcome new neighbors with brownies, but I am thinking kale salad and chia pudding

YAY! I know this is a bittersweet move…but can I just say that I am SO. EXCITED to have you as my neighbor and friend? And I can’t wait to explore, and possibly influence, the growing (you put it more kindly than I would) vegan scene here! Let us know what we can do to help, and I second Valerie with the welcome basket of chia pudding.

Wonderful news! I’ve been living in DC in Tenleytown for the last 4 years. I hope you find DC to measure up to NYC! It’s funny, whenever my dad (a NYC native as well) comes to town, he always likes to razz me about how the metro sucks compares to the subway.

Congratulations! I’m a law student in D.C. (and not vegan but eat vegan most of the time by accident) and it will be great to learn about your experiences here! I’m not from D.C. either, but I’ve found the city/people/community very welcoming and accessible. Also, as a first time commenter, I just want to add that I really enjoy your writing style and how you communicate; those skills will definitely come across in your future as a doctor. Big changes and choices are hard, but it sounds like you’re doing the right thing! Good luck!

Thanks Ali! Hope to meet you! I’ve been told my style has some subtle “legalese” to it (by my former editor-in-chief boss) so perhaps it feels familiar to a law student. Or perhaps that’s not what you meant at all. In any case, thanks!

It would be great to meet you! And while I definitely sense what your former boss was saying about your writing, I actually meant it in more of a human-connecting-to-human(s) kind of way. (Not sure if that makes sense… I’m writing this after having spent all day in the library.) But yes it’s definitely a good thing, and you’re welcome!

I’m jealous! As an Arizona resident, much of the state is not very progressive with vegan dining establishments (and with many other issues). I will actually be in D.C. tomorrow for a short conference, and my hotel is 10 minutes away from Sticky Fingers! Unfortunately, I won’t be able to eat there because the conference is all day and I am leaving the next morning. So, so sad.

I spent 18 years in The District and Northern VA and loved it! I have been gone from there 7 years now, and am eager to hear your take on the area. I will be following your posts with anticipation! All my best to you!!!

Best wishes with the move!!!!! A bigger kitchen is always a plus. I’m heading to D.C. for a vacation next week and was wondering if you know of any great raw and/or vegan restaurants that would be worth dragging my carnivore hubby to.

Wow!! I was not expecting this but this will be so exciting for you! D.C. is an awesome city, as I’m sure you know. Will you be continuing to study through Columbia (i.e. online) or are you transferring to another school?

you’re going to love DC!! im also a native new yorker but went to g-town for undergrad & while some of my fellow new yorkers couldn’t get over not being in THE best city in the world I cherished the change of pace. I was also pre-med there & a bio major and im so curious to hear about your experience (i loved it!)

Congrats! As a born and raised New Yorker myself, I can honestly say I love it here and I hope you do too! I actually find DC to be quite vegan friendly and would love to give recommendations if you ever want em! You’ve done so much for me with your site, I could only hope to help you if I can

Big change, a bit scary, but with lots of benefits by the sounds of it. I can’t imagine maintaining a long distance relationship on top of everything that you’ve got going on. I love my small town, mountain living. However, it’s fun to vicariously experience the big cities. So, I’m excited to be moving with you. Good luck!

Wow! I’m really proud of you for doing this and I wholeheartedly support your move. Though I never met you, I feel as though I got to know you on your blog, and you have connected me with so much in NYC as I lived and spend much time there still. I actually think this is an appropriate post to let you know, and thank you, for connecting me with Verite Catering. I ended up contacting Cassie after your post about the company, and last weekend helped them both assemble and serve delicious vegan catered food at Union Square. I hope to help out as often as I can and get to know the ladies further. It reminded me of what I loved about NYC, which I had unfortunately forgotten recently. I loved helping out the vegan cause and meeting Cassie and Daphne, two amazing entrepreneurs.

So, again, even though I never met you in person, I feel like you were a neighborhood friend helping me out and teaching me so much. Of course you still will be doing so on your blog, and I look forward to your exploration of Washington D.C. My friend is actually doing her Post-Bacc not too far away, in Baltimore.

Another reason this post particularly strikes me to wish you the absolute best with this move is because I have a similar decision to make this summer when I graduate from university in Providence as I have been juggling a long-distance, Chicago based, relationship, and trying to find a job that rings true with who I am. The best of luck to you on your move, with your M, and with your studies.

Congrats on your move, Gena! I hope M knows how special he is b/c I know you’re not moving “for him”, you are moving for you, and to make your life easier and better and hopefully grow in your relationship together with him…but yeah, he better help you pack, unpack, and give you a post-moving massage

Seriously, how exciting for you! I have lived in 6 states as an adult and always come back to CA but moving is fun, exciting, terrifying, wonderful, and such a thrill…all at once. I am so happy for you! And wow, changing schools,too. And moving. And a new city. <—major life changes, much?

I am so happy for you and can’t wait to read about this new chapter in your life. (and possibly, virtually meet M??) hehe! I will miss you in NYC, but I know we shall meet again. You will be my doc one day! Xo

that’s so exciting! it sounds like the right move–and so great you’ll be with M. I am a little sad you’re leaving the city before I got to meet you, though, not gonna lie!!!! but D.C. is not too far so I’m sure a blogger meet up one of those cities will be in the future..? I’m so happy for you

I am so excited for you, Gena! Rachel and I miss DC a lot- it’s where we met and spent our first two years together, and where her family lives (well, VA suburbs). We’ll be eyeing it, among other places, when I graduate (still a good two years away). I really think you’ll be happy there. I commiserate with the insanity of pursuing full time coursework while straddling two cities- that’s been our life for the past two years! Funny that you posted this today, because Rachel finished her masters exams and coursework TODAY! She’s now going to pack up and graduate on Friday, and move back down to San Diego! So our lives are similarly simplifying (hopefully).

How you manage all these changes without skipping a beat, or a meal, wows me. This sounds like a smart move on so many counts, so I’m glad the transfer worked out for you. And DC has its attractions, free museums being only one.

Congrats! Too bad we never got to meet here…but I’m sure we’ll run into each other at some blogging conference or something I lived in D.C. for seven years before moving back here, so let me know if you have any questions about D.C. (NOT the healthy part. I didn’t get healthy till I moved here.)

ooooh exciting Gena! I can appreciate how difficult it has been for you to find balance with school, let alone finding the time to enjoy and develop a new relationship. I’m so happy for you! I see good things coming your way and a big kitchen, that could be worth the move all by itself 😉

Yay! Very exciting. I think moving can be a very good thing, even if disruptive. And even though I love a good vegan restaurant, I have to say that living in a city without many options is really not that bad! Perth only has one vegan restaurant that I like, and it’s more than enough. Homemade food for the win!

Couldn’t be happier for you, Gena! What an exciting time for you…and for M. I would imagine you’ll thrive wherever you are, and I’ll obviously be tuned in to find out for sure! Congrats on finishing your semester finals! All my best to you.

I’m right there with you! I just wrote up my post for tomorrow about all the changes and everything going on. I’m graduating this weekend, moving across the country, and starting a completely new job. All by myself. Its exciting and scary, but more exciting. 😀

Congrats! I live in NYC but spent 4 years in DC and absolutely loved it. On the food tip, 2 Amys is a wildly popular pizza joint (with good reason) and they have a delicious no-cheese version. So many fabulous things to explore. I’m psyched to see where this takes your blog as well!

I’m so excited for you, Gena! I was so happy for you when you announced your new relationship, and even more so because he was in Washington DC. I’m graduating university this summer and moving to the Capital this fall. I cannot wait to hear all about the vegan eats that my beloved DC has in store =)

And of course, now I have a long-distance relationship with a guy in NYC, so I’ll be re-reading the archives for my visits to the Big Apple!

Gena, what a wonderful brand new chapter for you! There’s nothing like living away from your home city for a while to stretch your horizons. I’ve done it many times and each time I have learned so very much. Wishing you the best and enjoy the change! xo

Yes, I must admit, I’ve been expecting this announcement for quite some time now! So excited and thrilled for you, and at the same time so filled with longing and envy that my throat feels constricted. I only wish I could think of some way to move to America myself!

How exciting!! I, too, know all about the stresses of a long-distance relationship. I just moved to Milan to be with my boyfriend this January and despite the complete lack of vegan/health community, the fact I don’t speak Italian and that all my friends and family are thousands of miles away, it is still totally worth it to fall asleep next to my boyfriend every night. Can’t wait to hear all about your transition and the very best of luck to you

Congratulations, Gena. What an exciting opportunity. As daunting as moving can seem, it is always exciting to explore a new city and a great opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on things. I hope M is deeply appreciative of the move and helping with the packing.

Dear Gena,
Although I have not seen you in person in a while, I have been following your blog and all the wonderful changes in your life. Have a wonderful next step in your life in DC- it takes courage to make that kind of change and we all know you are full of that. I continue to be excited to see what you will do next!

Oh my goodness, Gena, congratulations!! (and you sneaky, sneaky–I should have made that re-visit to NYC much sooner!) 😉 I’ve been to Washington years ago and have such fond memories of it. I am sure you will bring it to life for your readers and we’ll all want to visit there, too! Hope you and M have a great time setting up house. And it does sound like this will make your education so much easier and more pleasant overall! Best of luck with it, and I can’t wait to read about your food escapades and other developments in the District. 😀 xo

As a DC native, I’m a little biased on this one and I’m super psyched that you’re moving to our nation’s capital! I been living in Canada for some 5 years now and every time I go home I realize how much I still love it, how beautiful it is, and that I would most definitely move back (I’m here the same reason you’re moving to DC). On the upside, like you said, for its size, there are definitely more and more vegan options and grocery stores so I’m sure you’ll discover things as you move there!

I’ve never been a fan of long-distance (which is why I never managed to attempt it for more than 3 months on a semester abroad), so I’ll say you made the right decision. Can’t wait to read about your life there! Congrats

So very excited for you. I know you’ll take DC by storm! I’ll be reading along, watching you veggify the city 😉 I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been to DC. I’ve been all around the world but have never managed to pay a visit to our nation’s capitol. Obviously, I’m going to have to remedy that. Many, many good wishes to you on this next chapter! xo

Just wanted to add to the chorus of “congrats!” and “how exciting!” It sounds like you’re making a very smart choice for your overall happiness and sanity. I wish you the best and am looking forward to reading about your adventures in DC!

Congrats on your decision! It is actually my dream to go to school at Georgetown (hopefully I’ll be accepted to pursue my Ph.D there) and I LOVE the DC area! I know that you will make the best of it, and I cannot wait to hear/read about it from you!

So exciting! I’m always amazed by people who maintain long-distance relationships in college, and I’m glad you’ll no longer have that stress. As a fellow transplanted New Yorker (Chicago though, not DC), I do have one piece of advice: when public transit or the lack of vegan restaurant begins to bug you, take a deep breath, get yourself to the nearest grocery store, and make a restaurant-worthy meal. It helps me every time!

And DC is getting better; I went to a restaurant when I was there a few weeks ago, and they were pretty vegan-friendly.

Will be super sad to see you go, but I’m moving as well, so I wouldn’t be able to see you anymore anyways. I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future. I know that I’ll always return to New York, hopefully for good….

Oh how exciting!!!! I live in Arlington, just outside of DC and would LOVE to show you around to the various vegan places, as there are quite a few scattered around our lovely city.
Very exciting news, and Welcome to DC!!

SO exciting! I did something similar (from Cali to Houston- talk about vegan UN-friendly!) so that I could be closer to my guy pal and pursue my post-bacc. While it’s definitely difficult to be away from my beautiful home, friends, and family, I feel that my constant need to explain and defend my views on health and nutrition (and not eating meat) has helped me to solidify my beliefs. I’ve even made some hummus-lovers out of coworkers that had never heard of a chickpea! It’s really rewarding to be able to share this part of myself with others, something I didn’t get to do often when surrounded by like-minded individuals in California.

Gena, I’m a longtime lurker on this site, which my sister Amanda (your former professor) told me about. I love it, as I’ve been a vegetarian for a while but am just starting to incorporate more raw foods. Anyway, I live in D.C. and am excited to read your reviews of our local vegan joints! Good luck with the move!

Gena, welcome to DC! Transitions can be tough, even when they’re exciting and welcome. Know that there’s a thriving health and wellness community here that’s ready to welcome you with open arms and open hearts.

How exciting!!!! this will be an interesting and slightly hard move i’m sure for such a life long new yorker, but i think you’ll love it! i don’t think i could ever handle a long-distance relationship. best of luck to you and i look forward to reading your new restaurant reviews!!!

yeah yeah! will you be living in Georgetown? I’m 1.5 miles up the street. great area. we’ll do our best to lessen the sting of not being NYC. you can give michelle obama recipes for the stuff in her veg. garden.

I’m just catching up on blog reading. Congrats dear!! Best of luck on everything! I know what it’s like to move from a very vegan-friendly city to one that’s not so much. Thankfully I was blessed with a booming vegan community and I bet you’ll find the same there in DC!

I’m sure it’ll be so hard to leave your home in NYC – such an amazing city – but the District will welcome you with plenty of things to keep you busy!! I hope that some path in life brings me back to DC, but until then maybe I’ll just live vicariously through you.